Friday, December 31, 2021

Goals vs. Resolutions 2022 edition

At the beginning of each year, I share a resolution vs. goal post.

 Let's resolve to leave 2021 where it belongs...in the past, and create for ourselves a joyful, prosperous, healthy 2022!

Resolution: A promise we make to ourselves and declare to others that we will make a positive change for the new year.

Goals: A plan we put into place to move towards a better life.

Do you see the difference? A resolution is a promise, but a goal is a plan. Let’s set goals for ourselves this year. Make a plan, buy a planner, write a list of steps to get you to where you want to be: financially, physically, emotionally, relationally. Set reasonable goals. Take baby steps towards your new future, your new life.
Let’s turn our dreams into reality for 2022! 
Meditate on your goals and the changes you want to make, see and feel yourself living the life you desire. Talk about your dreams and goals with people who will build you up and encourage you. Make your plan and work towards it each day, little by little, taking baby steps. Don't give up!

Let's make the changes within ourselves to become the people we want to be this year. It can be done, and WE are the only ones who can make it happen; join a gym, write a book, start a business, change the things we don't like about ourselves/our lives. Let's make this our year! 

2021 taught me so many beautiful things. I have learned how to create my future by what I say and feel. The law of attraction is real, my friends. It's time we allowed it to work to our benefit. 

If you have access to Netflix, I HIGHLY recommend you watch, The Secret. It has helped me change my life, and I am confident it can do the same for you!

If you enjoy reading, I suggest a book by David Goggins, entitled: Can't Hurt Me. This book can help you change your life if you allow it to! 



Thursday, December 2, 2021

Day 30: 30 Days Of Thankfulness

I am thankful to have completed my 30 Days Of Thankfulness! 

I have been inspired and hope you have as well!

Monday, November 29, 2021

Friday, November 26, 2021

Day 26: 30 Days Of Thankfulness

So thankful for a very special friend who has always been here for me!
NJ girls 🤎

How about you? Do you have a special friend?

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Day 20: 30 Days Of Thankfulness

I am super thankful for my family members who love me no matter what and never turn their backs on me 🧡

How about you?

Friday, November 19, 2021

Day 19: 30 Days Of Thankfulness

Today I am thankful for the time I invest in myself to be a better me!

What are you thankful for?

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Day 18: 30 Days Of Thankfulness

I am thankful that I will be spending Turkey Day with my family. 

What are you thankful for?

Day 17: 30 Days Of Thankfulness

I am thankful that I was able to find everything I needed to prepare my Thanksgiving meal! 

How about you? 

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Monday, November 15, 2021

Day 15: 30 Days Of Thankfulness


Today I am thankful for The Secret.  It has been life changing. For those who are not familiar, it is on Netflix. 

What are you thankful for today?

Sunday, November 14, 2021

Day 14: 30 Days Of Thankfulness


I enjoy the cold weather. Today I am thankful it is fall and here in NC we get to enjoy the colors of the season!

How about you? 

Saturday, November 13, 2021

Day 13: 30 Days of Thankfulness


I am thankful for all those who helped me over the years...in every way!

What are you thankful for today?

Day 12: 30 Days of Thankfulness



Today I am thankful for better health than I was in 6 years ago! Thankful for the gym and a healthy eating plan!

What are you thankful for today? 

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Day 11: 30 Days Of Thankfulness


Today I am thankful for the time I get to spend with my family. 

What are you thankful for today?

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Day 10: 30 Days Of Thankfulness

When I first moved to NC from NJ I was far from thankful. Today, I am thankful to live in my beautiful home with my beautiful family. 

Please join me and leave a comment as to what you are thankful for today. 

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Day 9: 30 Days Of Thankfulness

I love to bake! I am thankful that I am a certified cottage baker! Super thankful that I never gave up and got my kitchen certified. 

What are you thankful for today? Please comment...

Monday, November 8, 2021

Day 8: 30 Days Of Thankfulness

I love my children! Today I feel thankful to have been chosen to be their mom. 

Please join me in my thankfulness journey and comment as to what you are thankful for today...

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Day 7: 30 Days Of Thankfulness

Today I am thankful that I never gave up on writing my blogs. I enjoy creating my posts and sharing them with the world. 
www.thefierywhisk.com 
www.authordeanna.com 

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Day 6: 30 Days Of Thankfulness


Today is day 6 of #30daysofthankfulness 

November 6
I am thankful for the kindness of others. There are good people left in this world! 

Please join me and comment what you are thankful for today. 

Friday, November 5, 2021

Day 5: 30 Days Of Thankfulness


Today is day 5 of #30daysofthankfulness 

November 5
I am thankful for my kids. They bring me joy and keep me young! 

Please join me and comment what you are thankful for today. 

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Day 4: 30 Days Of Thankfulness


Today is day 4 of #30daysofthankfulness and I am feeling more joyful by the day!

November 4
I am thankful for the gift that I was given to write books! 
Twelve published books is a grand accomplishment that I am so thankful to have achieved. 

Please join me and comment what you are thankful for today. 

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Day 3: 30 Days Of Thankfulness


Today is day 3 of #30daysofthankfulness and I am feeling more joyful by the day!

November 3
I am thankful for every business opportunity that has opened up for me!

Please join me and comment what you are thankful for today. 

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Day 2: 30 Days Of Thankfulness


Today is the second day of 30 Days Of Thankfulness!

November 2
I am thankful for the handful of friends that I have that stay in touch with and care about me. 

Please comment what you are thankful for today!

Monday, November 1, 2021

30 Days Of Thankfulness

 



I have been trying to figure out what topic would supply me with daily posts for this blog. I have neglected my author blog and want to give it the attention it deserves. 

30 Days Of Thankfulness it is! Who's in? Would you join me by commenting what you are thankful for today?


November 1

I am thankful for my supportive and helpful husband. He always encourages me to do the things I enjoy and holds down the house and family while I am partaking. Thank you! 

Friday, October 15, 2021

Newest cookbook release: The Ultimate Guide To Easy Desserts


Do you find yourself spending too much money buying store-bought desserts? Have you tried baking desserts at home to find they require too many ingredients that you don't have on hand?

The Ultimate Guide To Easy Desserts offers you a way out of store-bought, expensive, chemical-laden desserts. Learn simple recipes you can make in a snap. Discover desserts you may have never heard of before, what they are, and how to make them.

Deanna will share with you easy dessert recipes along with tips and tricks that make baking fun and easy. Enjoy baking alone for your family and friends or enjoy baking with family and friends, creating memories that will last forever.

Check out my new book...just in time for Holiday baking:

The Ultimate Guide To Easy Desserts 

 

Other cookbooks:



 

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Christmas in July: Two Girls and an Oven book review

 

Who's ready for Christmas in July?

Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews did me the honor of sharing my new release on her blog!

Two Girls and an Oven is a story that revolves around a small bakery during the Holidays. Please take a look at what Janine had to say about my book:

Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews

 To purchase a paperback or Kindle copy today, visit my Amazon Author Page 

Friday, April 23, 2021

Book release TODAY: Cook On The bright Side

 


 

TODAY IS THE DAY!

Cook On The Bright Side is live on Amazon! You can purchase it in paperback or for Kindle. It is also available in Kindle Unlimited.

Cook On The Bright Side 

 Three young, driven girls gathered at a coffee shop to study. Chloe, Cora, and Callie called themselves triple C. Out of over 4,000 people at UNC Asheville, these three bonded over a mean panini and hot drinks.

Years passed, they each graduated and grew, but their friendship remained intact. After a tragic Covid-19 incident, their lives quickly changed, and a promise was made.

Will they be able to keep their commitment or would it be the demise of their friendship?

Cookbooks, recipes, and blogging change the course of their lives forever. Join these ladies as they feel the highs and lows of friendship, family, and love.

Recipes from the story are included at the end of the book.

 

Autumn's Wish book release 

The Ultimate Guide To Cookies book release 

Picture This book release

Friday, April 2, 2021

Cover reveal and pre-order: Cook On The Bright Side

 

My new book, Cook On The Bright Side is available for pre-order on Amazon! I am offering the Kindle pre-order at a discounted price. When the book goes LIVE, it will go up to regular price...so, be sure to pre-order TODAY!

 

Cook On The Bright Side

Three young, driven girls gathered at a coffee shop to study. Chloe, Cora, and Callie called themselves triple C. Out of over 4,000 people at UNC Asheville, these three bonded over a mean panini and hot drinks.

Years passed, they each graduated and grew, but their friendship remained intact. After a tragic Covid-19 incident, their lives quickly changed, and a promise was made.

Will they be able to keep their commitment or would it be the demise of their friendship?

Cookbooks, recipes, and blogging change the course of their lives forever. Join these ladies as they feel the highs and lows of friendship, family, and love.

Recipes from the story are included at the end of the book.

Recipes: Did you know?

Autumn's Wish book release 

 

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Recipes: Did you know?

 


Did you know that each of my fiction books end with recipes from the book? Yes, all of my books have a cooking or baking thread running through them.

For example: In Autumn's Wish, Cindy makes amazing peanut butter cookies! So, I added that recipe, among others at the end of the book.

 

Cindy’s Peanut Butter Cookies


1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

¾ cup peanut butter

 

 Cindy also shares her Sausage, Peppers, and Onions recipe! 


Cindy’s Sausage, Peppers and Onions


1 package of Italian sausages

1 green bell pepper

1 large onion


Chances are, if the recipe was worth mentioning in the book, it is shared with you at the end! 



Autumn's Wish book release 

The Ultimate Guide To Cookies book release  

Picture This book release 

Monday, March 15, 2021

Blog Tour for Autumn's Wish: Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews

 


 I am excited to share a lovely review for my latest release: Autumn's Wish. 

Autumn's Wish was previously written as Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Star. I have had the privilege of working with Janine since the book was first published in 2011!

I would love for you to check out her review and her blog.

Thank you, Janine! 

Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews 

Autumn's Wish on Amazon


Friday, March 12, 2021

How Not To Die: Book review

 


 I gave this book 5 stars! 

It is loaded with valuable information and is written in a way to keep you connected. The author's personality shines through in the writing.

I have been following his plant-based plan for five weeks, and feel great! I lost weight without trying and the inflammation in my body has decreased significantly. I am still striving to hit all twelve points each day, but I know that when I get there, I will feel even better!

So many of us feel like crap and try different medications to help us feel better. I am more of a natural type person, so this style of healing (or masking) does not appeal to me. 

I highly recommend eating a plant-based diet and living a healthy way of life. You are worth it!

Click on the photo to read about or purchase this book. 

Autumn's Wish 

Point of View: Book review 

How To Make A  living With Your Writing: Book review


Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Writers: Let's get rid of the word very

 

 
The word, “very” rarely belongs in the vocabulary of a writer. There are other creative words that can be used in its place.

The word, “very” is an overused adjective. The word is used to emphasize the word it is describing. Often times, adjectives, such as the word, “very”, can be left out of the sentence. If you are trying to say that someone is “very hungry”, take out the word “very” and your point will still come across to the reader. 
Or, substitute the word “very” and the word it is describing with another creative word (See, I could have said “more” creative word right there, but I left out the word “more” and my point still came across properly).


Let’s take a look at some substitutions:


1.Very angry / fuming

2. Very big / gigantic or huge

3. Very clean / spotless, immaculate or spick and span

4. Very cold / freezing or Very cold / icy or hard hearted

5. Very fast / immediate

6. Very fat / large

7. Very good / suitable

8. Very happy / joyful, delighted or ecstatic

9. Very hateful / repulsive

10. Very hot / broiling

11. Very hungry / famished

12. Very loving / affectionate

13. Very mean / nasty or cruel

14. Very nice / lovely

15. Very old / ancient or antiquated

16. Very pretty / beautiful or attractive

17. Very poor / underprivileged

18. Very quiet / silent or peaceful

19. Very rude / offensive

20. Very sad / miserable

21. Very silly / ridiculous

22. Very skinny / lean or malnourished

23. Very small / miniature

24. Very smart / clever

25. Very soft / spineless

26. Very sore/ excruciating, tender or painful

27. Very strong / muscular

28. Very stupid / senseless

29. Very tasty / scrumptious

30. Very tired / exhausted

31. Very ugly / horrid
 

 Do you write when you're not in the mood?

Write It! podcast: The place for writers 

Let's discuss outlining books

Friday, March 5, 2021

Autumn's Wish: Book release TODAY!

 


Today is the day!

Autumn's Wish is now LIVE on Amazon! 

This book was originally published as Twinkle, Twinkle, Christmas Star. It has been re-written to include new character names, title, and cover.

Formerly an inspirational fiction piece, it is now a contemporary fiction novel. 

Newspaper writer, Autumn, wishes on a star, seeking help to discover herself and live a life she considers worth living.

For ten years, Autumn has been writing for the same newspaper, living in the same apartment, going through the same routines, day after day.

One cold November morning, she decides that she has had enough and that change is long overdue.

New beginnings and self-transformation, with a touch of steamy romance, will have you wanting more of Autumn's Wish.

She asked. She believed. She received.
AUTUMN'S WISH


This book was previously published as, Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Star.

The Ultimate Guide To Cookies 

Picture This book release

Monday, March 1, 2021

Our trip to Snowshoe, WV: Part 4, Traveling home

 


We truly had an amazing trip! The day did arrive when we needed to travel back home. By the time Wednesday rolled around, we were both ready.

I woke up early, as usual, made coffee and began packing things up. We wound up leaving the condo to head to the car around 9:45 am. 

We were plowed in! When the snow plow cleared the parking lot, it created a nice stack of snow and ice behind my Jeep. After several attempts, we realized there was no backing out over the pile...mainly because of the cars illegally parked behind us. The last thing we wanted was to cause an accident.

So, we went inside and asked for a shovel. Thankfully, they had one. 

My saint of a husband shoveled us out. I brought the shovel back to the front desk and retrieved my ID that I had to leave in order to borrow the shovel.

I jumped in the Jeep and we were off...so I thought.

This guy driving a white truck was driving the wrong way through the parking lot and came within an INCH of hitting my Jeep! I had my window down and was SCREAMING at him! I said repeatedly, "You're going to hit me car!" If it wasn't for my husband slowly backing up as this jerk drove by, my Jeep would have been hit.

After many choice words that were NOT kind, at 10: 36 am, we were off. And the trip home was pleasant and rather relaxing. The views were spectacular.

And that, my friends was a 4 part recap of our vacation in Snowshoe, WV. 

Part 1: The drive

Part 2: The walk for coffee 

Part 3: The realization 

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Our trip to Snowshoe, WV: Part 3, The realization

 


I have been having a fantastic, productive trip so far! Yesterday morning, I wrote the outline for my next novella. In the afternoon, I started writing the book. All that after finishing my WIP on Sunday. 

It snowed yesterday and is snowing again today...so many good things to be thankful for.  

As I prepared for my day today, I realized that my book release for Autumn's Wish is just days away! 

March 5th is the official book release on Amazon. Wow! That went fast. 

Autumn's Wish is available for pre-order NOW on Kindle:  

PRE-ORDER AUTUMN'S WISH NOW

 

Book Description:

Newspaper writer, Autumn, wishes on a star, seeking help to discover herself and live a life she considers worth living.

For ten years, Autumn has been writing for the same newspaper, living in the same apartment, going through the same routines, day after day.

One cold November morning, she decides that she has had enough and that change is long overdue.

New beginnings and self-transformation, with a touch of steamy romance, will have you wanting more of Autumn's Wish.

She asked. She believed. She received.
AUTUMN'S WISH

This book was previously published as, Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Star.

 

Thank you! 

 Our trip: Part 1, The drive

Our trip: Part 2, The walk for coffee

Monday, February 22, 2021

Our trip to Snowshoe, WV part 2: The walk for coffee

 


Yesterday, I mentioned that today, I would be venturing out into the cold. Well, this morning, that is exactly what I did!

 If you have TicTok...

Watch me walk though the snow...

I bundled up, which you can see in the above photo and ventured out. It has been snowing for hours and has yet to let up. The icy snow was pelting me in the face at one point and made me giggle while recording my video.

I walked over to the Starbucks, that I point out in my recording, and got cup of decaf to warm me up. They have no tables and only allow 8 people in at a time. But, I got my coffee!

 

More fun news... I completed writing my WIP which was a novella. I will do the final edit when I get back home. Today, I am starting on the outline for another book. 

This trip has been relaxing and productive so far! 


My tall, decaf, caramel macchiato with almond milk. 

 

Our trip to Snowshoe, WV part 1 The drive

Last years weekend in Snowshoe post

 

 

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Our trip to Snowshoe WV, Part 1: The drive

 


Yesterday, my husband and myself drove to Snowshoe, West Virginia. It's a dual trip of sorts. My husband will snowboard and I will write, write, write! My plan is to finish the novella I am working on and start another one.

Last year when we drove up, we encountered a few interesting situations. You can read about them here: 

Weekend in Snowshoe, West Virginia: The things I did and saw

We remembered when we saw the first Dollar General store, that we drove by so many last time. We decided to count them this trip. We drove by 9 Dollar General stores on the way here! If we drove by 9, imagine how many more there are that we didn't drive by! People in Virginia and West Virginia love their Dollar General's. 


This was us driving behind a hay truck, before it started to snow. 

 

 

My expression after counting numerous Dollar General stores and getting stuck behind a truck loaded with hay. 

Tomorrow, I will go outside and explore! That should be fun....stand by for the post!